Has your wedding has been postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled because of COVID-19? Are you now waiting even longer for the big day and reconfigure all the planning you have done? If so, this blog is for you, friend.

My intention for this blog is to give you 3 steps to prepare your heart and mind while you wait for stay at home orders to lift, and for your new wedding day to arrive. The goal is for you to walk away with a few ways to wait well and seek God, clinging to His Gospel truth through it all.

In the background of our wedding photography business, we have seen couples with only their parents there, couples with only 10 people there, couples who have live-streamed their wedding, and couples who have postponed their day until later this year or next. Whatever your story, every situation is unique and has required a lot of reconfiguring, grieving, and frustration.

As a photographer and prayer partner, I have been walking with couples through these very hard times – praying over them and for them – and piecing together backup plans out the wazoo. It’s hard, it’s real, and it’s a long, drawn-out process. The uncertainty is palpable, and the unknowns are so tricky to navigate.

For my brides, my grooms, and the couples out there that are now navigating this type of season. I have a few thoughts the Lord has brought to my attention that I want you to cling to during this time.

1. You are not alone.

   There is a whole community of women and men walking through this specific season of life just like you are. Particular details may differ but you are among friends here – welcome to the real life of navigating reconfiguring difficulties – you have companions to walk through this wife.

2. Focus on the Covenant.

   The stripping away of all the grandeur of a wedding day can be repurposed to allow your heart to focus on your groom and God, alone. The day is not about the florals, the reception music, the cake, the wedding dress, the guest count, or the hors d’oeuvres. It’s about the Covenant between you and yours, and Christ himself.

3. Take up your cross and follow Him.

   This part of your story – this frustrating part where you had to reschedule your wedding and change plans because of a pandemic, is officially part of your story now. No part of your story is wasted and the Lord will use it for good. Offer these frustrations up, these meltdowns, these moments of panic – that He may use them for good in your heart as it is refined and sanctified to be more like Him each and everyday.

Sis, you aren’t alone in taking up your cross and focusing on the Covenant. Jesus did exactly that and meets you right where you are. He focused on the Covenant that God had with His people and carried His cross all the way to the mountaintop because He loved us so much! (John 3:16 NIV)

You aren’t alone, focus on the Covenant, and take up the cross of what it means to journey to the aisle with your beloved – no matter how hard, frustrating, and burdensome it may be.

May you Journey with Jesus.

Knowing that every step along the path to the aisle is created to give Him glory and be used for His story.

Sis, take time and talk with Jesus as if He was sitting across from you at the dining room table. Tell Him your thoughts and feelings. Let out your heart, He is waiting to receive it.

1. What emotions, thoughts, and opinions have you been bottling up and keeping from the Lord?

2. Which areas of your wedding have you been clinging onto with a closed hand?

After you talk it out, sit in silence with Him. Open His scripture and read Psalm 139, the Easter story, and reflect on the Stations of the Cross (St. John the Evangelist Resource), and attune your heart to His. I pray that He opens your hand, opens your heart, and reveals His truth to you in a deep way as you, your beloved, and He walk hand in hand to the aisle.